The early Gothic buildings in Bohemia drew inspiration from France and the Rhineland. Among the earliest were the monastery in Předklášteří by Tišnov, South Moravia, the chapter house in Osek, North Bohemia, the monastery of St Agnes in Prague and many parish churches and monasteries such as those in Kolín and Kouřim in Central Bohemia.
Around 1300, Czech architecture diverged from its western counterparts. There was a burgeoning of Cistercian monasteries, e.g. in Zlatá Koruna and Vyšší Brod in South Bohemia, and churches and castles, e.g. Bezděz, North Bohemia. The High Gothic period was in full swing during the time of Charles IV and Wenceslas IV, with its rectangular windows and portals, rayonnant traceries and quadripartite or sexpartite, or cross-ribbed, vaulting. The most significant buildings of that time are University of Prague, St Vitus Cathedral. Charles Bridge, Prague Old Town Hall and New Town Hall, stone houses in Prague and the castles of Karlštejn, Kost and Kašperk. We find the first records of construction works fellowships: the most famous are those of Master Peter Parler and his family, and Matthias of Arras, who also worked on the reconstruction of Sasau Monastery.
New castles no longer served just a defensive function, but were also intended to serve as sovereign residences. They were therefore more spacious and elaborate and had extensive gardens.
The early Gothic buildings in Bohemia drew inspiration from France and the Rhineland. Among the earliest were the monastery in Předklášteří by Tišnov, South Moravia, the chapter house in Osek, North Bohemia, the monastery of St Agnes in Prague and many parish churches and monasteries such as those in Kolín and Kouřim in Central Bohemia.
Around 1300, Czech architecture diverged from its western counterparts. There was a burgeoning of Cistercian monasteries, e.g. in Zlatá Koruna and Vyšší Brod in South Bohemia, and churches and castles, e.g. Bezděz, North Bohemia. The High Gothic period was in full swing during the time of Charles IV and Wenceslas IV, with its rectangular windows and portals, rayonnant traceries and quadripartite or sexpartite, or cross-ribbed, vaulting. The most significant buildings of that time are University of Prague, St Vitus Cathedral. Charles Bridge, Prague Old Town Hall and New Town Hall, stone houses in Prague and the castles of Karlštejn, Kost and Kašperk. We find the first records of construction works fellowships: the most famous are those of Master Peter Parler and his family, and Matthias of Arras, who also worked on the reconstruction of Sasau Monastery.
New castles no longer served just a defensive function, but were also intended to serve as sovereign residences. They were therefore more spacious and elaborate and had extensive gardens.